IT Tech tool recommendation

[american lockpicker]

Ohhh, that PT-540 has got me drooling. I must get one!

I agree, does anyone know where I can get one for under $124.99 new?

[gafftapegreenia]

Yea really. The PT 525 seems more in my future at around $75.

[AndyTiedye]

Either the LM "RAdio Shack" Squirt

Or the Vic Cybertool

Welcome aboard

Or both. 

[Neil]

Hey Neil that's a great tool - I like that. I'd really like one of those bit drivers to build my own too, but they seem really difficult to come by!

Sorry for veering off-topic, but have you ever come across any Titanium SAK scales? I want to build a Ti SAK

Thanks Dave, there's a thread over in the SOSAK forum about it.  You're right that layer is tricky to get.  Its either keep your eye on eBay or ask Rotokid if he has any.

Never seen any Ti scales, ever. Sorry.

Neil

[max6166]

Yep, they did an amazing job on the PT-540. I wish there were more industry-specific tools like that.

[Poncho65]

Welcome to the forum Turing Complete  

[american lockpicker]

Yep, they did an amazing job on the PT-540. I wish there were more industry-specific tools like that.

What other industry specific multitools and SAKs are there?

[AndyTiedye]

What other industry specific multitools and SAKs are there?

For watchmakers:


For repair of gas chromatography equipment:


Victorinox has been making SAKs for electricians for a long time:

Here's an older one  (bottom)

[Turing Complete]

Well, I went and looked at a number of tools (I like the Skeletool, btw.  I didn't think I would from the pictures, but it feels nice.) and I believe I will go with a Cybertool -- the question is whether to go with the 29 or the 34.  How useful are the pliers and scissors?  I know that I will have some uses for both, but how often will I be looking for a bigger set of pliers?  How tough are they?  Do they get you by in most situations?  Does anyone use the scissors much?

I would love to custom build one with just the parts I want, but somehow that doesn't seem feasible for this iteration.

Thoughts?

[silentio]

Well, I went and looked at a number of tools (I like the Skeletool, btw.  I didn't think I would from the pictures, but it feels nice.) and I believe I will go with a Cybertool -- the question is whether to go with the 29 or the 34.  How useful are the pliers and scissors?  I know that I will have some uses for both, but how often will I be looking for a bigger set of pliers?  How tough are they?  Do they get you by in most situations?  Does anyone use the scissors much?

I would love to custom build one with just the parts I want, but somehow that doesn't seem feasible for this iteration.

Thoughts?

Hey Turing, I had exactly the same dilemma when I bought a CT: 29 or 34? My needs for a computer tool may be slightly less demanding than yours because I do it for my friends and family--resident geek among my social circle. In the end, I went for the 29 because it was more comfortable in my pocket.

I cannot answer the pliers part because I've never used the CT's one, though I have handled it. As for scissors, it's a must-have for me. But I have my LM Micra with me all the time.

Anyway, my gut feel is that if you don't mind the bulk, just go with the 34. Keep it on a belt pouch or something.

BTW, interesting thing about the SAK's tweezers. I know you mentioned they were a bit too weak for your needs. But I used them to get out of a sticky situation when a small screw fell into the laptop I was working on--turning it over and shaking was not a good idea because lots of things weren't secure. Used them to pick the screw out. Felt great to be an SAK user at that time.

[Benner]

I'd say the pliers would prove to be invaluable for what you would use it for.

[Neil]

I'd say the pliers would prove to be invaluable for what you would use it for.

Agreed.  I had right fun with a ribbon cable in an old Sony laptop the other day.  The pliers were just right for holding it in place whilst I wedged a bit of plastic in its connector.  They were also good for retrieving dropped screws, shifting jumpers on the back of drives.  They do other useful stuff but that's all that I used them for on this particular machine

Neil

[max6166]

You might also want to consider pairing the Cybertool 29 with a Squirt P4. The P4 is fairly cheap, about 58mm long.

This would give you slightly beefier, separate set of pliers, so you could use the CT driver and pliers at the same time.

[Sea Monster]

I'm just trying to wonder why anyone can think they can fix a computer with any of these tools - None of them have a hammer!

[max6166]

A lot of the "techs" out there aren't trying to actually fix the computer anyway. They just need to look busy while convincing you to buy a new computer from them.

[Leatherman123]

I'd go for a Paladin tool of some sort.. I think they would fit the bill quite nicely.. If you don't want to spend too much (PT-525) then just go for the PT-510.. It is lighter and it still has a good amount of features for your line of work...

[Turing Complete]

I'd go for a Paladin tool of some sort.. I think they would fit the bill quite nicely.. If you don't want to spend too much (PT-525) then just go for the PT-510.. It is lighter and it still has a good amount of features for your line of work...

I looked at the Paladins, but while it would be nice in many ways, it's heavier than I want to go.

[max6166]

I agree. The Paladins look amazing for stuff like network wiring, but they are too large and unwieldy for poking around inside cases and precision work.

If I had a Paladin, I would probably compliment it with something smaller for that reason.

[Smitty44]

I'd go for a Paladin tool of some sort.. I think they would fit the bill quite nicely.. If you don't want to spend too much (PT-525) then just go for the PT-510.. It is lighter and it still has a good amount of features for your line of work...

I looked at the Paladins, but while it would be nice in many ways, it's heavier than I want to go.

You might want to look at the SOG pocket powerpliers,they are 5.5 oz. and you can still change out what ever components you want.

[Benner]

I don't see the Paladins and PPP to really be suitable IMO.

[Leatherman123]

Then I'd go for the CyberTool 34.. Or, if you absolutely need a saw then get the 41 instead!

[AndyTiedye]

If you're already used to SAKs might as well go with one of the Cybertools.
I lean towards the Cybertool Lite and the SwissChamp XLT (a.k.a. Cybertool XL in some markets).

Another way to go would be the Cybertool 29 paired with a LM Squirt E4.

[Turing Complete]

Well, I decided on the Cybertool 34 thanks to all the recommendations here.  I'm still not sure if it was the right choice, but I figured that if I got the Cybertool 29, I'd still end up getting something else for the pliers anyway.

Thanks for all the help.  I've already used the Torx bits and the scissors, so it was good I got those!   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well, I decided on the Cybertool 34 thanks to all the recommendations here.  I'm still not sure if it was the right choice, but I figured that if I got the Cybertool 29, I'd still end up getting something else for the pliers anyway.

Thanks for all the help.  I've already used the Torx bits and the scissors, so it was good I got those!   

Great choice mate , let us know your thought's on it once you've had it a while please mate

[Splat]

I swear we're all enablers here.... of spending!       After having to work on a friend's PC tonight, then coming home and reading this thread I Ebay'ed and found an excellent-condition used Cybertool 34 for $45 w/shipping. I'm stoked! Everything I needed to do tonight would've been handled easily by the Cybertool instead of me having to hunt around in a basement for tools. I guess this was my birthday present to myself, though a little late (Sept 6).   

[american lockpicker]

You should also get a "Radio Shack" Leatherman. I use one for taking PCs apart and it handles 95% of the screws.

[Neil]

I swear we're all enablers here.... of spending!       After having to work on a friend's PC tonight, then coming home and reading this thread I Ebay'ed and found an excellent-condition used Cybertool 34 for $45 w/shipping. I'm stoked! Everything I needed to do tonight would've been handled easily by the Cybertool instead of me having to hunt around in a basement for tools. I guess this was my birthday present to myself, though a little late (Sept 6).   

Happy late birthday  I'm sure you'll find the CT34 does the job for you... well, until you get the SAK itch again  

Neil

[AndyTiedye]

You should also get a "Radio Shack" Leatherman. I use one for taking PCs apart and it handles 95% of the screws.

A.K.A.  the Leatherman Squirt E4.   Search on that if you'd prefer not to have the "Radio Shack" logo.

Note that the E4 has a real Phillips instead of the flat Phillips that the P4 has.